Charity spokesman John Murray said "a whistleblower" brought the issue forward within the past five weeks and the audit was then launched, uncovering the missing funds.

Murray would not name the senior staff member who was fired, but Perry Rowe has held that job title for the past eight years. Murray did say the executive director who was terminated has served in the position over eight years.

Rowe, who is also a former chairman of the Alliance to End Homelessness, was first placed under paid leave when the audit began, but then let go Monday.

The Booth Centre's accounting will also now move to the regional office in Toronto, Murray said.

Murray also said "no programs have been negatively affected and no programs will be affected," including the Salvation Army's Christmas kettle campaign.

Connie Woloschuk took over as executive director Monday morning, Murray added, a job she also did from 1989 to 2001.

The charity has asked Ottawa police and professional auditor KPMG to conduct separate investigations.